The Tony Awards are on tonight, from 8 to 11pm.
In the middle at 9pm, HBO debuts season 2 of “House of the Dragon.”
This morning the Tonys are pushing a performance by Jay Z with Alicia Keys which I guess will take place in that competing hour. (If it doesn’t, then, really.)
Jay Z will perform “Empire State of Mind” with Alicia Keys which is not part of her “Hell’s Kitchen” musical. In the actual show, it’s just the Alicia character who sings it.
“Hell’s Kitchen” is a very good show, but it’s hard to say it’s Best Musical. After all, most of the songs, like “Empire State of Mind,” were hits long ago. It’s not nominated for Best Score. So if it wins Best Musical, that could set a precedent.
This year the Tonys have been stuffed into a much smaller venue, the David Koch Theater in Lincoln Center. The after party is across the plaza at David Geffen Hall. It’s been the best Broadway year in some time, but the American Theater Wing and Broadway League have downsized considerably.
There won’t be much local press coverage. Page Six reports that many local theater reporters were denied access to the red carpet. But there will be Jay Z, because of his immense Broadway connections!
